How to validate backup and restore operations in CodeIgniter applications

When using CodeIgniter to manage database backups, what steps should be taken to verify that a backup file can be restored correctly and that the restored data matches the original source? Consider checking file integrity, running a test restore on a staging database, comparing row counts or checksums, and handling potential version mismatches. What built‑in helpers or third‑party libraries are recommended for automating this validation, and how can errors be logged and rolled back safely if the restore fails?